News

Cornerstone Bank began construction on an addition to their bank located in Harvard at 302 North Clay.

The new addition will provide expanded office space which will house the insurance department that is currently located at 215 North Clay in Harvard. The old insurance office will close once the new building is complete.

“Customer service is the most important thing we offer,” Isaac Schelkopf, Vice President and Manager of Cornerstone Bank in Harvard, said. “The addition to our building will enhance our service and allow for a more enjoyable banking experience.

“We are committed to meeting the financial needs of our customers,” Schelkopf said. “We have a strong commitment to the Harvard community and are thankful for the success we have gained here.”

Construction of the 2,000 square foot addition has already begun and should be completed by the end of 2022. The project will add five new offices, two restrooms and a workroom.

Clay County’s taxable sales continued to rise for a second straight month this past June, while motor vehicle sales tax collection for the same time frame also rose, according to the Nebraska Department of Revenue’s finance and research division’s latest report, announced on Sept. 2.

In the same time frame, however, net taxable sales for the City of Sutton fell off pace for the third straight month, as compared to June 2021. The City of Sutton fell off 6.5 percent, while county-wide, net taxable sales rose 4.4 percent, from $2,373,116 in June, 2021, to $2,476,632 this past June.

In June 2021, Sutton’s taxable sales came in at $1,261,935, while this past June, taxable sales came in at $1,180,216.

The City of Superior showed the largest decrease in comparison with June 2021, falling off 6.8 percent.

Nuckolls County was the only area county that fell off pace from 2021, showing a 4.2 percent decrease in net taxable sales, compared to June 2021.

Members of the Sutton City Council gathered Monday, Sept. 12 to set the new 2022-23 fiscal year budget and, with the tax rate set to decrease from the current .823921 during the current fiscal year to .802904 during the upcoming new fiscal year, beginning Oct. 1.

Council members held a public hearing, which began at 7:08 p.m., with no feedback during the hearing. Mayor Todd Mau closed the meeting at 7:10, thus closing the agenda for the budget presentation, to take the meeting into it’s normal meeting agenda at 7:11 p.m.

Ordinance 409, to approve and adopt the 2022-23 budget, was then approved by council members.

The new fiscal year operating budget was set at $10,162,793.51, an increase of nearly 41 percent over the current 2021 budget, which was $7,228,681.61.

The property tax request will be set at $532,620.76 for the general fund and $310,000 for the bond fund, or a total of $898,578.79, up three percent from the 2021 budget.

The Nelson family was honored as this year’s Old Trusty Show grand marshals for the “Gathering of the Orange” Allis-Chalmers feature. Pictured from left include: Ron Nelson, Alan Nelson (standing), Marc Almager (In back), Cigi Almager, Joan Nelson, Danalee Nelson, Kay Nelson, and Merle Nelson. The family brought more than 40 tractors to the annual event.

PHOTO COURTESY BY PATTY BRITTON | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Since 2008 the month of September has been declared National Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide has been influencing people’s lives for centuries, and still the rate of suicide continues to climb.

According to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, “For every one person who dies by suicide annually, 316 seriously consider suicide, but do not kill themselves.”

The Poison Center continues to see an increase in calls related to ingestions with the intent of self-harm.

In the U.S., we are beginning to destigmatize mental illnesses and offer resources for people in crisis. We also have community support organizations for those who have had their lives touched by a completed suicide.

Save these numbers into your phone, give them to your loved ones and post them for others to see. We need everyone to spread the word that there is help available for everyone. You are not alone.

The Gathering of the Orange will be this year’s feature of the 40th annual Old Trusty Antique and Collectors Show Sept. 10-11.

Prior to events beginning, the AC NE Tractor Caravan will be traveling from Randolph to Clay Center Wednesday through Friday.

Nick Gubdels, head of the caravan, said six or seven tractors will leave Randolph Wednesday morning and will travel to Albion where they’ll stay for the first night and pick up a few more tractors.

Thursday, the group will head for Aurora where they’ll stay the night, before packing up Friday morning and heading to Clay Center.

Gubdels said he thinks the caravan, which will consist of between 20-25 tractors by the end, will reach the county fairgrounds by 11:30 a.m., Friday.

Friday afternoon will consist of the annual trail ride and tractor drive, which will leave from the fairgrounds.

The Clay County Board of Supervisors is staying a step ahead of radon risk at the courthouse.

Mike Carroll, courthouse custodian, updated the board about the building’s recent radon testing during the board’s regular meeting on Aug. 30 at the courthouse.

The basement’s radon level measured 1.9 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/l), and .9 pCi/l on the third floor of the building, Carroll reported.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends mitigation efforts when radon levels are at or above 4.0 pCi/l. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive, colorless, and odorless gas that seeps from the earth. Long-term breathing of high levels of radon is associated with a higher risk of lung cancer.

Radon mitigation typically includes an underground ventilation system or increasing the rate of air changes in a building, according to the EPA.

Glenvil celebrated 150 years Saturday, Sept. 3 with various activities and events. Above, the 150th float heads down Winters Ave. during the morning parade. At the left, River Fjeldheim pets a calf at the petting zoo. Below, Lily Alcorn hands a popsicle to Etta Alcorn during the parade.

Sutton Elementary students were able to test out their new playground, which officially opened after installation on Friday, Aug.

26. Here, Kaden Nuss jumps onto the zipline as his peers watch from the background.

In order to remain in compliance with Nebraska §77-1311.03, Clay County will be conducting a complete review of Spring Ranch and Inland villages, and the townships of Sheridan, Marshall, Lonetree, Glenvil, Spring Ranch, Fairfield, Edgar, and Logan.

Nebraska §77-1311.03 states, “the county assessor shall adjust the value of all other taxable real property parcels by class or subclass in the county so that the value of all real property is uniform and proportionate. The county assessor shall determine the portion to be inspected and reviewed each year to assure that all parcels of real property in the county have been inspected and reviewed no less frequently than every six years.”

Stanard Appraisal Services and county assessor staff will be reviewing all properties in these areas.

Each of the staff will carry identification and will be using the following vehicles:

• Darrel Stanard, white Toyota Sequoia, plate No. 1811 Husker plate.